10 Historic Preservation

10 HISTORIC PRESERVATION

OVERVIEW

La Plata County supports a rich history ranging from the Ancestral Puebloans, followed by the Ute Indians, and ultimately the settlement of European Americans as outlined in the Introduction. The residents of La Plata County are appreciative of and knowledgeable about our treasured cultural legacy which is embodied in the historic resources and scenic assets populating our landscape. Consistent with Colorado as a whole, these historic resources define La Plata County’s sense of place and western identity. Whether it is archeological evidence of pit dwellings or our agricultural heritage as evident in the ranches and farms, it is through the preservation of these historic resources that we are connected to our past and provide context to our current lives. According to History Colorado[1] there are nearly 13,000 documented cultural resources in La Plata County of which almost 5,800 of these are prehistoric archaeological sites. Numerous Traditional Cultural Properties (TCPs), not formally recorded, are also located within La Plata County. TCPs and prehistoric archaeological sites located within La Plata County are significant to groups far beyond the County and State. Most of the Native American Tribes and Pueblos in New Mexico, and some in Arizona, consider these places to be sacred and/or significant. La Plata County is home to some of the oldest agriculture practiced in what is now the state of Colorado.

In evaluating our diverse heritage and landscape, it is clearest to view the County in the twelve land use planning districts (See Element 1- Land Use). These districts, while they have many similarities, also have unique characteristics as exemplified in our mountainous North County, to the arid Fort Lewis Mesa, to the verdant Florida Mesa. Within these districts there are townships which have a strong sense of community and identity, often connected to buildings such as a historic grange or school house which served as a gathering place at the crossroads of the County. The heritage and character that is embodied in our landscape and buildings is captured in this Element, putting in writing policies to protect these resources, both identified and potential, for generations to come.

BACKGROUND

Historic preservation efforts in the County were greatly advanced by the formation of the Historic Preservation Review Commission (HPRC) and the creation of the La Plata County Historic Register. This occurred in November 2004 by Resolution 2004-33 of the La Plata County Board of County Commissioners. The purpose of the HPRC is to: 1) Review requests for designation of historic landmarks and historic districts, and 2) Make recommendations to the La Plata County Board of County Commissioners with respect to the preservation of cultural, historic, and/or architectural history within the boundaries of La Plata County and any requests for designation of historic landmarks and historic districts. The HPRC membership was increased from three to five in February 2010 by Resolution 2010-09. The establishment of the HPRC and La Plata County Historic Register created a recognizable and formal archive of historic resources within the County which warrant preservation and those that are to be celebrated.

The mission of the Historic Preservation Review Commission is:

·  To provide an application and review process for residents to receive HistoricLandmark designation and other designations by the La Plata County Board of County Commissioners.

·  To increase awareness of historic and cultural heritage as embodied in these designated historic landmarks and other designations.

·  To provide educational opportunities to increase public appreciation of the County’s unique heritage.

·  To increase economic and financial benefits through heritage-tourism.

In 2008, La Plata County began a large project to support the establishment of a historic preservation program and historical resources database. The project included the preparation of a historic context for the County that described the themes of the County’s history and recorded 100 historic sites that represented those historical themes (Lambert, A Historic Resource Survey of 100 Sites in La Plata County, CO 2010). The historic resource survey of 100 sites (Volume 1) was accompanied by Pioneers, Prospectors, and Trout (Volume 2) providing extensive documentation of the county’s historic context (Lambert, Pioneers, Prospectors and Trout 2010). Both the survey and historic context were funded by the State Historical Fund and La Plata County and were completed by the San Juan Mountains Association and Cultural Resource Planning in 2010.

The project consisted of a reconnaissance level survey of the County’s privately owned land in the unincorporated areas and an intensive survey and recording of the 100 selected sites that were at least 50 years of age and represented the County’s historical themes. The information about the project report and the individual properties forms a part of the County’s growing historic preservation program.

As of January 2017 there are (15) properties listed on the County’s Historic Register (See Map 10-1). As a result of the resolution that created the HPRC and Historic Register, the County formally established the archive of the 100 sites surveyed and the 15 (and counting) that have been officially designated to the Historic Register. Increasing the number of properties designated remains one of the highest priorities for the HPRC, including but not limited to the 100 structures already surveyed.

Map 10-1

La Plata County Historic Register

The historic resources that can be designated to the County’s Historic Register derive their significance from periods ranging from prehistory through historic European settlement. Prehistoric resources include sites and objects that were used by ancient groups or tribes such as archeological sites, campsites, cemeteries, burial sites, rock carvings, pictographs, traditional resource gathering areas, trails, and religious and ceremonial sites. The specific location of these sites is often very sensitive in nature. Gathering information concerning these properties should be undertaken with careful consideration and involvement of the cultural group involved.

Examples of historic resources during the period of European settlement include buildings, bridges, structures, ranch houses, school houses, barns, churches and objects which are at least 50 years old. The majority of designations to the Historic Register fall into this category. The Animas Canon Toll Road, designated to the Historic Register via Resolution 2014-35 and the historic Aspaas Ranch designated via Resolution 2017-07 are two historic resource examples.

The County’s Historic Preservation program is successful in part because it is a voluntary incentive-based preservation program. In keeping with the overarching philosophy of the County to minimize regulatory oversight, the County’s Historic Preservation program carries with it no regulations which dictate the use or maintenance of the resource. A property owner is encouraged to list their historic resource in order to receive public recognition and a bronze plaque certifying inclusion of the property on the County’s Historic Register. Listing on the local County Register aids in the eligibility of a qualifying resource to be listed on the State Register, and for State Grants. A key goal of this element is to maintain and expand upon this voluntary incentive-based program to encourage further historic preservation.

In order to encourage participation in the Preservation program, incentives may be developed. These include possible establishment of a grant program which would make funds available to property owners of a historic resource or organizations which advance historic preservation in La Plata County. To be eligible for funding, a historic resource would first have to be listed on the County Historic Register, thereby encouraging participation in the program. Other incentives that could be considered include tax credits for resources placed on the Historic Register or waiving of any fees associated with rehabilitation. The underlying premise would be promoting participation in the County’s Historic Preservation program through incentives rather than through regulatory means.

Although Register listing is voluntary, the County’s somewhat limited nomination criteria draw from established professional standards, resulting in a high standard for preservation. More clearly identifying and expanding upon the criteria for designation of resources based upon not only professional standards and best practices, but local preferences and input, would strengthen the program.

Historic Preservation through education and partnerships

The field of historic preservation often achieves its greatest successes as a result of empowered individuals and incremental efforts to build the local preservation network. This is exemplified nowhere better than La Plata County where motivated individuals, County Staff, and the Board of County Commissioners collaborated to establish the Historic Preservation Review Commission, sought grant funding to survey 100 structures, and continue to this day documenting and designating the historic resources within the County.

An example of a potential partnership is the growing interest in food quality and production, coupled with an emphasis on local economies, which may prove to be a powerful nexus for historic preservation and agritourism[2] in La Plata County. Since many of the operating ranches and farms in La Plata County include barns and farm houses which are older than 50 years, there are opportunities to incorporate historic resources into heritage and agritourism. Locally, this partnership could lead to surveying and mapping of historic orchards, building our records of the County’s farms past and present. More broadly, there is an opportunity for partnership with the State Historical Fund and the regional field office to provide support in preserving a historic resource while expanding business activity. The state could also provide assistance to agricultural as well as cultural preservation properties to market their assets and visitation.

As part of the mission of the Historic Preservation Review Commission, the Commission organizes an annual educational event during Colorado’s Archaeology and Historic Preservation month in May. In 2014, the Commission launched a driving tour for residents to visit selected sites in the Bayfield area that had been identified during the large county-wide historical survey project of 100 sites. In May 2015, the Commission sponsored a historical cemetery themed driving tour that visited four cemeteries. Each cemetery visit was hosted by the cemetery’s caretaker association. The 2016 tour focused on the old Fort Lewis and the ranching history of that area. The 2017 tour is planned for the Hermosa and Upper Animas Valley area to acquaint the public with the early agricultural settlement in that area.

The driving tours have become very popular over the years and provide the HPRC with the opportunity to exercise the educational aspects of its mission and for County residents to celebrate their heritage. The Driving Tour is expected to continue in the future as tangible means for not only individual historic sites to be showcased, but for the County’s residents to discover the cohesive communities which exist within each of the Districts.

The County’s Historic Preservation Review Commission also serves as a regional resource providing comments in support of initiatives that advance historic preservation. Federal and state agencies such as CDOT and the FCC include the HPRC as a commenting agency relative to the National Historic Preservation Act, Section 106 reviews. The HPRC has provided letters of support for organizations which seek state or federal grant funding such as the initiative to survey and preserve local cemeteries and the Scenic & Historic Byways project.

Partnerships with local and regional organizations are an ongoing opportunity to strengthen the preservation network in La Plata County. Organizations and groups interested in historic preservation include:

·  Bureau of Land Management

·  Colorado Department of Transportation

·  Cemetery Associations

·  Center of Southwest Studies

·  City of Durango

·  City of Cortez

·  Colorado Archeological Society

·  Colorado Preservation, Inc.

·  Durango Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad

·  Fort Lewis College – students and faculty

·  Southwest Colorado Genealogical Society

·  HistoriCorps

·  History Colorado

·  La Plata County Historical Society

·  La Plata Open Space Conservancy

·  Montezuma County

·  Pine River Heritage Society

·  San Juan Basin Archeological Society

·  San Juan County

·  San Juan Mountains Association

·  San Juan National Forest

·  Scenic and Historic Byways Commission

·  Southern Ute Indian Tribe

·  Town of Bayfield

·  Ute Mountain Ute Indian Tribe

HISTORIC PRESERVATION GOALS

Goal 10.1: Preserve places/structures which carry historic significance through programs, incentives, education and other means; as well as perform ongoing identification, documentation, evaluation, protection and interpretation of La Plata County’s considerable historic and prehistoric cultural resources.

Objective 10.1.A: To encourage regular and applicable designation of historic resources within the La Plata County Historic Register.

Policy 10.1.A1: Coordinate with interested and affiliated organizations in order to achieve a comprehensive representation of the County’s history upon the Historic Register.

Policy 10.1.A2: Maintain outreach of historic preservation programs and tools with property owners in the County.

Policy 10.1.A3: Maintain an inventory of identified resources which may qualify for an historic program of the County; and which may either exist as or become a threatened historic resource.

Policy 10.1.A4: Identify and regularly update local criteria in order to evaluate historic resources within the County.

Policy 10.1.A5: Develop/maintain implementation strategies which expand the County’s voluntary and incentive-based historic preservation program/s.

Policy 10.1.A6: Create incentives, instruments or mechanisms which provide financial assistance to properties and organizations in order to encourage expanded historic preservation within La Plata County.

Policy 10.1.A7: Consider designation as a Certified Local Government through the State Historic Preservation Office, History Colorado.

Policy 10.1.A8: Promote and facilitate avoidance of impacts to cultural resources located within the County, and mitigate impacts if they are unavoidable.

Objective 10.1.B: To focus efforts of preservation through public education.

Policy 10.1.B1: Create/maintain documents, such as brochures, forms, and preservation guides, to inform the public regarding programs, events, guidelines and practices of the County relative to historic preservation.

Policy 10.1.B2: Increase the public’s awareness and understanding of the County’s Register and the benefits of historic preservation.